HTTP 307 Temporary Redirect vs 506 Variant Also Negotiates
HTTP 307 (Temporary Redirect) is a 3xx Redirection response, while 506 (Variant Also Negotiates) is a 5xx Server Error response. 307 indicates that the resource temporarily resides at a different URL. Unlike 302, this guarantees the HTTP method will NOT be changed. In contrast, 506 means that the server has an internal configuration error: the chosen variant resource is configured to engage in content negotiation itself.
Description
The resource temporarily resides at a different URL. Unlike 302, this guarantees the HTTP method will NOT be changed.
When You See It
When you need a temporary redirect that preserves the request method (POST stays POST).
How to Fix
Follow the Location header using the same HTTP method.
Description
The server has an internal configuration error: the chosen variant resource is configured to engage in content negotiation itself.
When You See It
Rare. Indicates a misconfigured server-side content negotiation loop.
How to Fix
Fix the server's content negotiation configuration.
Key Differences
307 is a 3xx Redirection response, while 506 is a 5xx Server Error response.
HTTP 307: The resource temporarily resides at a different URL. Unlike 302, this guarantees the HTTP method will NOT be changed.
HTTP 506: The server has an internal configuration error: the chosen variant resource is configured to engage in content negotiation itself.
You encounter 307 when when you need a temporary redirect that preserves the request method (POST stays POST).
You encounter 506 when rare. Indicates a misconfigured server-side content negotiation loop.
When to Use Which
For 307 (Temporary Redirect): Follow the Location header using the same HTTP method. For 506 (Variant Also Negotiates): Fix the server's content negotiation configuration.